PICTURED: Three boats stranded and 10 people rescued after being swallowed by 50-metre sinkhole

A spokesman for the force said: "A major incident had been declared in Shropshire following reports of a sinkhole affecting a canal in the Chemistry area of Whitchurch.

"A multi-agency response had been set up, co-ordinated through the Shropshire Tactical Co-ordination Group (TCG)."

Luckily, there were no casualties in the landslide. However, nearby residents were told to stay away while officers dealt with the incident after 10 people were rescued.

Fire crews from Whitchurch, Prees, Shrewsbury, Newport, Albrighton and Telford were all called to attend the scene.

Area Manager from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service Scott Hurford said: "We can confirm no persons are believed to be on board the affected canal boats, and no injuries have been reported.

"Approximately 12 residents from nearby moored boats are being supported and relocated to a welfare centre at the former Whitchurch Police Station."

A spokesman from the Canal and River Trust also said: "Please be advised that due to an incident, there is an emergency closure in place between Lock 6 Grindley Locks and Bridge 31A, Whitchurch By-Pass bridge.

"Please do not approach from either direction and we will provide an update in due course."

The situation was made stable at around 8.30am, with water flow reduced and search and rescue operations suspended.

A spokesman from Shropshire Fire and Rescue service added: "Multiagency attendance remains in place to manage the environmental impact, protect nearby properties, and ensure public safety. Please avoid the area while we continue to deal with this significant incident."

Bob Wood, 75, said he was asleep on his canal boat when he felt the vessel start to tilt to one side.

He told the Shropshire Star: "I was in the boat asleep and I thought I needed to go to the toilet so I got up and thought ‘we are leaning a bit’.

"I thought I was in the middle of a big storm, there was the sound of a lot of water. I opened the back door to see why we were tilting and realised it was not raining at all and it was the water running away under the boat.

"I jumped on the back and stepped off and that bit was going down at that second. The back went eight foot in the air and I landed on my front."

Sho Abdul, a councillor whose ward of Whitchurch West covers the sinkhole, also said those evacuated from the canal boats were very lucky.

He added: "The lack of casualties is an absolute miracle."